Moving to another Packers blog

I am in the process of moving to another blog address. That's just as well, because I have been put in the "penalty box," just becuase I am a huge fan of the Green Bay Packers. Yes, they ended their season 6-10, and Aaron Rodgers played better than Brett Favre, but there is no "I" in team. There is no "I" in Favre either, but I had to find an ending to that sentence.

Once I get my new and improved blog up and running, I'll tell you all where to go. For now, let's hope that the Packers defensive staff can bring their house in order. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of this cold, snowy winter.

Ms. Pacman.....over and out.

Bears Trek to Lambeau to Take a Likely Pounding

It appears that Chicago Bears' quarterback Kyle Orton will be starting Sunday against the Packers in Lambeau. I don't think this is good news for Packers fans, as we can usually rely on backup quarterback Rex Grossman to throw a few picks. Though, Coach Lovie Smith can really only have so many wins in a row at Lambeau Field. He is going to end his winning streak at four. The Packers will prevail. They may have a lot working against them for this crucial divisional meeting, but the Packers will have 72,000 loyal fans, Milwaukee Season ticket-holders, nonetheless, standing for every down.

The Packers will be looking to exchange favors from last season with the Bears, who swept the Packers last season. The weather won't be helping either team as the forecast in Green Bay Sunday calls for a few snow showers and 37 degrees! Yuck. Welcome to the winter in Wisconsin! It will give us a chance to see how Rodgers takes to the elements. We know his predecessor, at least for 95% of his career in the green and gold, took quite well to the sleet, snow and cold.

Go Pack Go. This is a must-win if there ever was one!

Stupid Metrodome.

The Packers loss Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings still hurts. Nice job refs. Nice play-calling Mike McCarthy. Nice job offensive line. And finally, to you Mr. Aaron Rodgers, you sign the big contract and then what?

If you believe in football karma, the right team did win. The Packers had no business even being in the game, were it not for the defense and special teams putting points on the board. In the NFC North, the Packers now sit in third place, with the 0-9 Detroit Lions rounding out the division. This is not where you want your team to be with seven games to go. I, along with many others, believe that this game against the Vikings was to be the game that lead the green and gold to the post-season. While they lost the Titans game, the team played tough. It appears that the loss to the Titans has shaken their confidence vs increasing it. With the Bears coming to Lambeau Field this weekend, we are seriously looking at the ultimate in must-win situations. If the Packers pull off the win, they will tie the Bears in-division record of 3-1. Then if we see a Vikings loss against the 6-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, we are looking at a three-way tie in the division. If you are a Packers fan, this has to happen to stay alive.

The Packers have the added problem to rectify before Sunday in the huge loss of middle linebacker Nick Barnett; out with a torn ligament in his right knee. Barnett is a leader on the team both on the field and off making this injury all the more painful. Mike McCarthy and the other coaches haven't decided who is filling this position, whether it's moving starters to the middle like A.J. Hawk or Brandon Chiller, or giving Barnett's backup a shot, Desmond Bishop. Whoever is lined up come noon on Sunday needs to step it up. The run defense has been pitiful in the last few games. I am afraid to say it but they can't get much worse against the run. Can they

With this Packers Vikings annual ritual of horn blowing in the Metrodome behind us, we can focus to win these last seven and end at 11-5, potentially squeaking in to the post-season. I think we can safely say the Green Bay Packers won't be playing host to two NFC Championship games in a row. I will be taking those dollars and moving them right in to Packers tickets for Sunday, as this game is out NFC Championship game of the 2008 season.

Come on Guys. Buck up and let's win a couple.

Another Packers Fan

It doesn't happen often, but I have allowed a fellow Packers fan to post to my Packers blog. She might be going hog wild now that she has the ol' log in information! What if she is a Bears fan in disguise? What if she is an old castoff of Aaron Rodgers' and wants revenge? Uh-oh, what have I gotten myself into?

Here goes:

I have grown up in Milwaukee and grew up a Green Bay Packers fan. My earliest memory of the Packers goes back to when I was 6 years old running around the basement of a family friends house with my sisters dressed in a Packers cheerleading outfit waving around my pom-poms as the Packers play in Super Bowl XXXI. The Packers have had their phenomenal seasons and there not-so-great seasons, but through it all Packers fans across Wisconsin have stuck by their side and supported them. At the end of last year and beginning of this year us fans went through a lot with the news of Brett Favre retiring and then deciding to come back. We all cried along with Brett as he made his farewell speech, and then we all got excited at the thought of him coming back. I think we all would have liked to see him play another season. He is a living legend that we watched break record after record. I have had a Farve jersey since as long as I can remember and have attended numerous Packer games in the “Frozen Tundra” at Lambeau Field; games were it has been so cold I could see my breath or feel my fingers or toes. Walking up to the stadium and feeling the rush of game time is so exciting.

I was a little unsure of Aaron Rodgers being our quarterback. I said he would have some pretty big shoes to fill, and I think that he has done a pretty good job at it so far. I must say he is no Brett Favre, but I am definitely starting to warm up to him. It might be a little unfair to compare him to Favre seeing what an amazing quarterback he is, but after being a Farve fan for so many years it is kind of hard to just start liking someone else all of a sudden. I think it is only fair to give Rodgers the chance to show us all what he is made of. Now as far as Farve playing for the New York Jets, I was pretty heartbroken at first. Watching him play with another team it almost seemed like he was betraying us! I understand his love of the game and desire to come back. Since the Packers weren't interested in taking him back, he really had no choice but to find another team to play for. I guess on the other hand if he is going to play for someone else I would rather it be the Jets instead of someone like the Chicago Bears or Minnesota Vikings.

I already have my Packers tickets for the Carolina Panthers game on November 30th. I think it will be a great end to my Thanksgiving weekend. This will be my husband's first Packers game ever, and my first game seeing Rodgers. I am really looking forward to being at Lambeau. The tailgating, the beer, the face paint, crazy hats and gear! Packer fans are definitely a loud and crazy fun bunch! No matter what happens I will always be a Packer fan. I have grown up with the Packers and you will always find me either at the game or in front of a big screen TV watching it. I am one of those die hard Packer Fans!!!

Just out of Reach for the Packers

I can't say yesterday's Green Bay Packers vs. Tennessee Titans game was a bad one. On the contrary; the game was rough and tumble, down and dirty football. The Packers just came up a little short. Losing in overtime is a better scenario than going down to Nashville and getting smoked by a 7-0 team. Rodgers and the team showed the world what kind of players they are. That teamwork brought them awfully close to handing the Titans their first loss, but it just wasn't in the cards.

The Packers held the Titans to just 3 points off of two turnovers. That's impressive. What wasn't all that impressive was the play calling at the end of the game. I think the coaching staff forgot they were playing an undefeated team away from Lambeau. The Titans were going to score in overtime. The Titans were going to play to win at the end of the fourth quarter. The Packers should have gone for it on fourth down. What can you say? The game was competitive and fun to watch. It was terrific to hear the crowd noise escalate when the Titans were on 3rd down. Good for you Packers fans to take the road trip and support the team!

Another loud one coming up at the Metrodome next week. I think the Packers have a solid chance. Then we can put the beat down on the crippling Chicago Bears the following week.

Even with the loss, this game Sunday fired me up.

Go Pack Go!

Aaron Rodgers On the Mend

Addition to the Packers Roster

This weekend marks the return of Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby to the Packers roster. Both had been out with injuries, but now are cleared to play. Another important addition to the green and gold is Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy's newborn daughter Gabrielle a week ago. Talk about nice timing! Born the week of the bye - impressive!

The return of these two vip's will certainly compensate for any lost momentum the team suffered from the bye week. A healthy, complete team is a winning team. Take a look at the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots.

With the Tennessee Titans' win Monday against the faltering Indianapolis Colts, it remains true that the Packers will be going in to Music City looking to give the team their first loss of the 2008 NFL Season. A feat that should be met, not easily, but the Packers could catch the Titans in auto-pilot, not taking the 4-3 Packers seriously. Titans' quarterback Kerry Collins hasn't been sacked in their last 5 games. I am hopeful guys like Aaron Kampman, Cullen Jenkins and Charles Woodson put and end to this streak.

The Fab Five receivers are all in for the game as well Sunday, lead by the ever-reliable Donald Driver. Should make some interesting play calling to keep the Titans on their toes.

Packers Bye Week Well-Timed

The Green Bay Packers have had this past week to rest their weary bones and prepare for a tough competition against an undefeated Tennessee Titans team. I suspect there will be a great deal of green and gold in the stands at LP Field, knowing the history of Packers fans willingness to travel. With a surprise win against the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, the Packers are in a position to make their mark in this 2008 season with a win against the Titans.

This win was just what I needed to seal the deal with Rodgers. I should say this win coupled with the little telephone call Brett Favre made to Lions'-ex Matt Millen. While it may not be true that Favre discussed any Packers plays, it still keeps that sour taste in my mouth. Aaron Rodgers has put together some solid performances, even in the 3 losses, he has played well. Confidence is high.

With Al Harris' return from a spleen tear, this team is going places. To think my expectations were pitifully low early in the season. I should be ashamed. I do wish Favre well with the Jets, but have moved on to #12.

The Packers lost to the Titans in the preseason, though only by 2 points. And how much does the preseason even reflect the regular season? I think these teams will split their meetings this year, with the Packers winning the more important of the match-ups.

And so go the days of our lives...in Packerland

"Brett Favre has been placed on the Green Bay Packers' roster following his reinstatement by the National Football League."

Interesting developments over the weekend. The Minnesota Vikings don't want him. The Green Bay Packers are gonna make him duke it out with Aaron Rodgers for the position of starting quarterback. What? And have Favre play all the downs in the preseason games? That is interesting. Should make the availability of preseason Packers tickets a little light if you get Favre playing for $40!

I was giving my boy the COLD should for a month or so. I am ashamed of myself. All of this love and devotion turned sour with one little itch. Poor Brett. I will scratch your itch. Good luck at making Aaron run for the AFC.

Go Pack!

This isn't the Soap Opera I Anticipated

Since my last post, a lot of you-know-what has hit the fan. It is all rather unbelievable. Retired Green Bay Packers' quarterback Brett Favre wants an unconditional release from his contract with the Pack. Wow. This is terribly depressing. What once was a beautiful relationship filled with love and support has turned sour.

Favre who retired fair and square has said he changed his mind and wants to play football. Well, fella, you have had, as the Packers say, numerous chances to come back and play for the green and gold. Each time you said no, no, retirement is for me.

Some say for all the time and energy I have devoted to this guy, I have turned a cold shoulder quickly. If it turns out the Packers made him rush to retirement and the writing was on the wall, well then, maybe I side with Brett, but it appears as though the quarterback had a chance to change his mind and he didn't take it.

As of a few minutes ago, apparently Packers' General Manager Ted Thompson said maybe Favre could come back and play second string behind Aaron Rodgers. If it was ugly before, this statement is off the charts.

And these are the days of our lives....

Packers Family Night Tickets Still Available

Should we question why Packers Family Night Tickets haven't sold out yet or should we thank our lucky stars that so many tickets have sold? Packers fans are missing Favre, but interested in supporting new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. You can still buy end zone tickets for the Sunday, August 3 scrimmage for face value through the Packers ticket office at Lambeau Field or through Ticketmaster. Another point this brings up is the Sunday night aspect; in years' past the typically sold-out event is held on a Saturday evening. Usually a better night for families, especially those who may travel to Lambeau Field. Nonetheless, if you can get your kids in their best packers gear and spend some quality time with them introducing them to the game of football, you won't regret the $8 ticket price. That's right, Packers tickets for $8. You will blow three times that on a new hat for the game!

Rodgers: "Human Jugs Machine"

In a recent interview Greg Jennings said the following about his new quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, "He has a cannon. We call him the 'Human Jugs Machine. He throws it like a Jugs machine every time." Only on ESPN would this statement not create a little giggle among readers.

Bottom line though for Green Bay Packers fans is the fact that this statement was made at all. Players are saying that they knew all along that Rodgers can throw the ball, even if he will always be compared to that pesty #4. Head Coach Mike McCarthy said that for the past 3 years they have been working to drop his ball carriage, a trait Rodgers picked up in college at Cal State.

One good thing to this transition is that Rodgers isn't brand new to the team, he has been Packer for years and is a familiar face in the locker room and at Lambeau Field.

Who is Pro Bowl Cornerback Al Harris?

The guy is more than just a Packers player with dreadlocks. He hasn't missed an NFL game since the 1998 NFL season. Voted to play and start in the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl, Packers fans are happy to have such a quality cornerback on board. That said, Harris did have a tough game on his hands in the NFC Championship loss at Lambeau this past January. Harris was matched up with New York Giants' Plaxico Burress in what became such a heartbreaking loss for the Packers players and fans. Burress just had the game of his life and Harris just couldn't get the elevation to beat him.

One team had to lose that game.

Moving on to the upcoming season, Al Harris is ready for action. Along with Charles Woodsen and a few other vets, Harris will be relied upon to help lead the rookies. Harris has played in every game since he came to the Packers in 2003. That alone sets a nice example of toughness, both mentally and physically. With his bump-and-run style, Harris ensured his place in the record books with the Packers in a Wild Card game against the Seattle Seahawks in 2004 when in overtime, he intercepted Matt Hasselback's pass for a touchdown. Having been at that game, I will say that I will NEVER forget how great that moment was. The crowd was CRAZY!

Let's get to the good stuff. The muscles, dreads and tattoos. Share in a ton of great photos on his Al Harris' My Space page. He seems to be a good guy, dedicating time and energy to those in need.

Packers History Could Help in No-Cap Future

In 2010, the salary cap in the NFL, which had been in place since 1993, will be going bye-bye, allowing big time players to ask for some big time cash. The chatter with regard to this development and it's effect on the Packers chances to compete is bleak. With team owners like Jerry Jones, Daniel Snyder, Bob Kraft, each with very deep pockets, it may be a challenge for the league's only community-owned, non profit team to compete.

The Green Bay Packers current roster and contracts already have an hint of the cap elimination. For example, Aaron Rodgers will have his shot this fall to step in to Brett Favre's shoes as the Packers quarterback, if all goes well, Rodgers' current contract is through 2009, allowing for some tough negotiations ahead for the team and a potential windfall for Rodgers. I have no argument with that. Rodgers has waited patiently for his shot and if he performs, he deserves to get paid. The question is, will the Packers be signing his paycheck in 2010, or will it be for a rival team with unlimited funds?

This is not to say the Packers organization hasn't planned for this day. For years, they have stayed under the cap, storing funds for such a "rainy" day.

My real point here is to address the one thing the Green Bay Packers can offer, other teams cannot. The mystique of the team, the field they play on, the Coach Lombardi factor and the rest of the storied history of the franchise. Sure players will end up living part of the year in the NFL's smallest market, but they will literally be THE biggest fish in the pond. Green Bay treats their Packers players like gold. Green Bay supports the team year round, showing up for all of the practices, scrimmages and related events with bells on. My bet is that there will still be a number of solid players who will sacrifice some cash to experience the opportunity to wear Packers' Green and Gold each Sunday.

Packers Give Favre His Old Locker

Rather than creating mass hysteria as to which Packers player would next use the locker once used by former Packers quarterback Brett Favre, the team has decided to just give it to #4. As players starting coming in to Green Bay and streaming in to the locker room this Spring, none touched Favre's old locker, in fact most took pictures. ESPN even created a build your own Favre Locker shrine on their site. The team is going to have a new locker built and installed by the end of July, by the time practices are in full swing for the fall NFL season.

I will now await the very special day, when Brett and Deanna invite me over to their pad for a cookout and a tour of their decked out rec room. They have to have some time on their hands now. I will bring a nice dish to pass.

Packers Tickets Around for Brown County Residents

The Green Bay Packers ticket office has offered up 4,000 Packers tickets to each home game at Lambeau Field to the local county residents via a lottery. This system has been in place since the renovation of Lambeau a few years ago, making many local fans very happy, but this year there is a change. The Packers may need to hold a third lottery to complete the sale of all the Brown County-designated seats. I wouldn't necessarily chalk this entirely up to the retirement of Quarterback Brett Favre, I think there are some additional factors like the cost of gas and milk these days. That along with with some gambling that ticket buyers may be able to score reasonably priced Packers tickets through friends or local ticket brokers. There are a lot of unknowns about the upcoming season. Expectations remain high even without Favre, but if the Packers get off to a 0-3 record, I can assure you Packers ticket prices will reach a decade low. I prefer the flip side, but now for the later games, as they are cheap, like $100 for end zone seats, and watch the Packers, lead by Aaron Rodgers clinch the NFC Central in an ice-cold December game at Lambeau. Now that's what I'm talking about.

Packers Herron Saves the Day

Noah Herron, Green Bay Packers running back, saved the day when some scumbags broke in his Green Bay home this past Friday night. After hearing glass break in the basement, Herron took a bedpost from his room and got the two guys. One of these dirtballs remains in the hospital and the other was caught by police. Noah Herron saves the day! There had been a string of burglaries in the area which now hopefully will come to an end. Thankfully the police got it right and had absolutely no reason to give Herron a hard time, saying his use of force was reasonable and justified given the intrusion. I will say that is was pretty crazy that he went wandering downstairs with a bedpost, which wouldn't hold up in a gun fight. I am glad the good guy won.

Packers' Green Machine

There is a group of Green Bay Packers players who call themselves the Green Machine, which has nothing to do with football. The Green Machine is a basketball team comprised of Packers players, organized by Packers' wide receiver Ruvell Martin, who received all-state and all-conference accolades in basketball while in high school. While fun is a high priority of the machine, raising money for various charities is the top priority for the guys. It appears that Martin is involved with many charities, donating time and money to the likes of the United Way and the American Red Cross. This type of character can also be seen on the football field.

Receivers Shaun Bodiford and James Jones, cornerback Tramon Williams, offensive tackle Orrin Thompson and running back Noah Herron are all regulars on the Green Machine team. It is to be commended that these guys take their own time to drive around the state to help raise money for those in need. During halftime, the players are happy to shake a few hands and sign a few autographs for the kids in attendance. Their opponents have ranged from school-age kids to former Wisconsin Badgers basketball players. With a solid record, the Green Machine best not think of quitting their day job!

Want to Stalk Favre?

If you want to head to the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, NV, you might get a glimpse of Brett playing at the celebrity golf tournament, the American Century Championship July 8-13. Considering I wouldn't have known a lick about this event if it weren't for Favre participating, organizers are on the right track having a guy like him attend. They are reporting that they anticipate selling more tickets than last year simply due to the retired quarterback's playing. A nice getaway in Tahoe? Count me in. I will meet you at the 19th hole, Brett!

Packers in top third of ESPN Power Rankings

From ESPN, the following is how they see the upcoming NFL season to shake out. At the end of the 2007 season, they had the Green Bay Packers sitting at 5, and beginning this season at 10. Given the retirement of Brett Favre, I will take a 10 any day. That is a good thing. The Packers were solid on both sides of the ball last season and new quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been pretty good the few times he has hit the field for the Packers, most noteably was against the Dallas Cowboys last season when Favre went out with an injury.

ESPN lists their ranking for 2008 first, then in parenthesis is where the team landed in the rankings at the end of last season. We still see the Patriots at the top of the list. I guess that videotaping stuff doesn't help afterall?

1 (1)
New England Patriots
16-0-0

2 (2)
Indianapolis Colts
13-3-0

3 (6)
San Diego Chargers
11-5-0

4 (3)
Dallas Cowboys
13-3-0

5 (4)
Jacksonville Jaguars
11-5-0

6 (9)
New York Giants
10-6-0

7 (8)
Pittsburgh Steelers
10-6-0

8 (7)
Seattle Seahawks
10-6-0

9 (13)
Cleveland Browns
10-6-0

10 (5)
Green Bay Packers
13-3-0

11 (18)
New Orleans Saints
7-9-0

12 (15)
Minnesota Vikings
8-8-0

13 (14)
Philadelphia Eagles
8-8-0

14 (10)
Washington Redskins
9-7-0

15 (12)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9-7-0

16 (11)
Tennessee Titans
10-6-0

17 (17)
Arizona Cardinals
8-8-0

18 (23)
Carolina Panthers
7-9-0

19 (19)
Buffalo Bills
7-9-0

20 (16)
Houston Texans
8-8-0

21 (30)
New York Jets
4-12-0

22 (25)
Baltimore Ravens
5-11-0

23 (21)
Denver Broncos
7-9-0

24 (20)
Chicago Bears
7-9-0

25 (22)
Cincinnati Bengals
7-9-0

26 (27)
Oakland Raiders
4-12-0

27 (26)
San Francisco 49ers
5-11-0

28 (29)
St. Louis Rams
3-13-0

29 (24)
Detroit Lions
7-9-0

30 (28)
Kansas City Chiefs
4-12-0

31 (32)
Miami Dolphins
1-15-0

32 (31)
Atlanta Falcons
4-12-0

There you have it. Now with the owners voting to go with out a salary cap two years earlier, we shall see if the playing field remains the same. All I care about is my Packers playing competitively and remining in Green Bay (which is a no brainer, I realize). The Packers